Free Drawing Lessons For 2014

What are the very first things a beginning artist needs to learn? One of them would be the definitions of the words used in this wonderful world of drawing.
That means the terminology, the nomenclature – what the words really mean. If you don't know the meaning of some of these non-technical words, you will not understand the basic lesson. Now this is not hard to do at all.

Getting to know these basic definitions as well as you know your own name, will make a big difference in your understanding which will impact your ability to draw!

Therefore I will write in each of these lessons a brief and simple definition of the terms used ONLY in that specific lesson.
We will be discussing only those technical words used in these arts and drawing lessons.
There is a golden rule in learning anything---no matter what the subject matter:

Never go past a word you do not fully understand without knowing the correct definition. If
you do not understand the definition your mind will go blank at that point and you can throw the subject of drawing and sketching in the trash can!

Let me illustrate it like this: "In drawing with a chiar-oscuro style like Rembrandt, make sure there is adequate color in the light areas."

If you don't know the meaning of "chirascuro" you’d be flummoxed! By the way, the meaning of this word basically means "light and shade" without regard to color.

Do you really want to be a pro artist? Learn the terminology.

For this lesson, Lesson One, Here is a short list of simplistic terms used:
Drawing: Making marks on a piece of paper to express a communication, a thought or idea about anything.

Sketching: Also making marks with a pencil or drawing instrument; to express an idea for yourself or others. Usually sketching is a rough quick drawing for further development (as in sketching an idea for a
painting).

Pencil: An implement for drawing or writing or marking; lead encased usually in wood where you can make marks on paper.

Eraser: A small rubber block used to rub out unwanted lines or guidelines on a drawing.

Paper: (or sketch pad) usually white but can be any color or value (tone) where marks can be made using any medium (crayon, chalk, charcoal).

That's all you need to know at this stage. Further definitions will be given in subsequent lessons.

If there are any questions you'd like to ask, please drop me a line in the "contact me" box and I will get back to you within 48 hours.

If you have all your tools ready and you understand the definitions, let's start on the practical stuff—-like actual drawing and sketching.

Before you pick up your pencils, make sure your paper is secure and fastened with clips to a baseboard (Masonite will do) or rest it on the kitchen table as long as it
does not float around. My suggestion is to get a ring-bound sketchbook with a stiff card in the front and back.

Please do the following lesson and exercises:

Value or tone: (same thing really) which is the lightness or darkness of a shade. This can give your drawing a 3D effect.
Get to know the "Cross-Hatch" technique which follows: This is basically a series of lines close together running about 45 degree in one direction and then drawing lines running across at 90 degrees across the first:

Using a sharp 2B pencil, draw faint lines as shown in box #one on the left. Then draw in the same type of lines in box #two but then "cross-hatch" them both ways as in the illustration, then go onto box three with heavier lines and then to box # four. This last box should be almost black:

Practice this until
you have the four boxes from the lightest to black in even amounts.

(The contrast between each should be about the same) So the jump between number one and two must be the same jump between two and three AND three and four. So there must be an even gradation between all four.
In most well-executed drawings you get between 10 and 12 values all evenly spaced. Keep this in mind as you develop your drawing skills. More on this in later lessons.

Practice and become familiar with these four values. Use these in the next few lessons and you will see good results in your drawings.

There are unlimited ways you can cross-hatch with your pencil or pen. We’ll be studying various other ways to add textures to your drawings to give them impact in the next few lessons.
Now that you have an idea of cross-hatch, draw a cube to show the effects of all four.

Shading with a pencil should follow the form with your drawings initially, but when you
know the rules you can throw them out the window!

If there is anything you do not understand in this lesson please send me an email and we can go over it in details. By email, Phone or Skype.

PS: Have fun drawing, I'd love to see your work showcased here. Please do write if you have any comments or questions especially when you upload your drawings, just a few words will do about you and your drawings.

PPS: Please check your email address for typos...too many bounce and your free e-book will be lost in cyberspace!